| Circle Casting
I. Advanced Preparation
This may include such tasks as obtaining special herbs or candles, making a ritual tool, researching a certain Deity [aspect] for the invocation, and planning the details of the ritual. II. Physical Set-Up
This covers the preparation of the temple or outdoor ritual area, laying out tools, putting up special hangings on the walls or symbols on the altar, etc. III. Self-Preparation
This occurs immediately before the work. It might include a ritual purification bath with candles and incense, a period of meditation, an aura cleansing or energy-channeling exercise, and other activities to cleanse and focus. IV. Group Attunement
This is important if anyone will be working with you, whether or not they are physically present. Chanting or singing together will physically harmonize a group, but guided meditation, play, or working togther on some task of preparation are alternatives. V. Asperge the Area
Ritually cleanse the area of inappropriate or negative influences. This is usually done with salt and water. You may begin tracing a pentagram over the salt: visualize it glowing with white light beneath the athame or wand, say: "I exorcise thee, O Spirit of Salt, casting out all impurities that lie within." Do the same over the bowl of water. Vsualize it boiling and bubbling, saying: "I exorcise thee, O Spirit of Water, casting out all impurities that lie within." Add three measures of salt to the water, stir thrice deosil, then walk deosil around the outside of the Circle, sprinkling the salt water lightly over everything with an asperger or your fingers. Having asperged with Water and Earth, you may also purify with Air and Fire by taking a censer of incense and then a candle around the Circle, stopping to salute the Quarters. VI. Casting the Circle
The Circle creates a boundary around the sacred place of your ritual, both to protect those within from outside influences or destractions, and to contain and consecrate the power raised until it is channeled to its goal. Walk deosil from the altar, pointing your athame or wand at the ground. Visualize a blue flame or light rising from the ground as you say in a slow and powerful voice, "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest a boundary between the world of humanity and the Realms of the Mighty Ones, a guardian and protection, to preserve and contain the power we shall raise within; wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee." All present join to say the last phrase, "...wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee." Lift the tool to the altar, then restore it to its place. VII. Alerting the Quarters
The term "Quarters" is verbal shorthand for the powers of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. By "alerting" these, we are really preparing ourselves to experience the ritual in all of those modes: physically (Earth), mentally (Air), with our energy fields (Fire), and emotionally (Water). Walk deosil around the Circle from the altar (or starting East), carrying a bell, gong, or chimes. Pause and ring at each of the cardinal points. Add a fifth, soft chime when you return to the altar or East. VIII. Calling the Quarters
Face East and draw an Air invoking pentagram with your athame. See the symbol glowing in the air, and behind it you may visualize the personified power of that Element. Face the South, West, and North in turn [if you are working with others, they may do their own Element] drawing the appropriate pentagrams and visualizing the Elemental Spirits. Step forward each time and speak an invocation as well. For example, "Spirit of Fire, Guardian of the Watchtower of the South, Red Lion of the Burning Desert, come to our Circle this night and grant us the will and energy to achieve our aims. So mote it be!" IX. Invoking the God
This activates the "masculine" aspect of Divine creative power within the ritualist. He may simply be referred to as God, or as a particular Deity aspect. The aspect should be appropriate to the work at hand. A male usually invokes the God, but if none are available, a female can. A few words of welcome are appropriate, such as, "Great Cernunnos, Horned God of the Wilderness and the beasts that dwell within, bring Your power, vitality, and blessings to the Circle this night." Stand before the altar, and with your hands make a hexagram (two interlaced equilateral triangles) in the air, then a circle within it and one without. Inhale the Divine Power into your body, then turn and offer the presence to the group, or all may do this simultaneously. X. Invoking the Goddess
This is done in the same pattern, but in Wiccan traditions She is always invoked by a female [usually the Leader or High Priestess]. She holds many names. One example is, "Great Demeter, Earth Mother, we invoke and call upon You this Mabon night to celebrate the bounty of Your harvest, the fruits of Earth which You have generously provided us; and to ask that the blessing of abundance and prosperity continue."
XI. Stating the Purpose
This is very important for clarity and to make sure all present are in accord. You may say, "We are here to celebrate the New Moon, the Maiden and Youth within, and to work magick for the growth and healing in the days ahead..." Or whatever is appropriate to the purpose of the gathering. If anyone has doubts about the need, strategy, ethics, or timing of the suggested work, this is the last chance to express them.
XII. Raising Power
This can be accomplished several ways. Chanting a couplet is a common method, as is a Circle dance, drumming, clapping, singing, or yoga. It must be simple to do, repetitive, rhythmic, and continued long enough for intense energy to be felt by everyone in the Circle. XIII. Channeling Power
Channel the power towards the goal the moment energy peaks. That is, visualize the goal achieved, send energy through an object link, or perform your spell. An object link can be an image, something associated with the recipient, or an actual part of the object. Of course, if the person or object is present, they can stand in the centre of the Circle and receive the power directly. XIV. Earthing Excess Power
To do so and release excess raised power, which can be detected as a kind of tingling sensation in your body, you need to earth it. Different ways to do this until you are peaceful are placing both palms on the ground, placing a fairly large rock in your hands or lap, or lying full-length belly down on the ground. If you don't partake in this "ritual hygiene" you will suffer from hyper activity, restlessness, tension, irritability, and/or insomnia. This is only until you earth the power and your aura balances itself. XV. Cakes and Wine
This is when refreshments are served and we come back, crossing over to the side of mundane reality, gradually. The food doesn't have to be moon-cakes and wine. Any refreshments will do. XVI. Thanks and Farewells
Face the altar and first thank the Goddess for Her presence. A similar process is followed for the God, by whatever means He was invoked. Next, thank the Guardians of the Watchtowers and say farewell. We do this by thanking and dismissing them. Starting in the East, draw and Air-banishing pentagram with your athame and say, "Mighty Ones of the East, we thank thee for attending... and if go ye must, we say Hail (kiss your athame and salute with it) and farewell!" Do likewise for South, West, and North. Feel free to adapt the wording. XVII. Opening the Circle Walk widdershins from the altar or East with your athame pointed at the line you traced earlier. Visualize the light or flames fading, or being sucked back into your athame. You have returned to ordinary space and time, and may confirm this by saying, "The Circle is open but unbroken -- Blessed be!" XVIII. Acting in Accord
This means take action on the material plane, or in "mundane reality," to support the magick done in the Circle and on other planes. Do not just sit back and wait for results to fall into your lap. Magick is an adjunct to the rest of your life, not a replacement for it. Your are still the channel through which the magick Lady Majyk Myst Artist & Author |
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